Tribute To Blondie Calderon

Moises "Blondie" Calderon
June 26, 1940--October 23, 2000
This photo was taken at a Ray Price concert In Santa Ana, CA, on March 1, 1999.

All of us who have been privileged to attend a Ray Price concert know how integral a part of the act Blondie was. His magical piano playing, the way he belted out a song, his wit and comedy, infectuous grin and joyous spirit will never be forgotten. He led the band and led the audience in cheering on the great Ray Price.

It's only fitting that we pay tribute to Blondie Calderon on these pages with as complete as possible coverage of the funeral services in Del Rio, Texas; Blondie's last interview, given to the Ray Price Fan Club a week before his death, plus tributes that have appeared in the press from other sources. Blondie passed on October 23, 2000, in Lubbock, Texas. Here are some of the initial bulletins that arrived with the news:

SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN: SUNDAY, OCT. 22, 2000: (FROM FAN CLUB PRESIDENT SANDRA ORWIG) BLONDIE HAD A HEART ATTACK ON THE WAY TO THE SHOW IN TURKEY, TEXAS, ON SATURDAY, OCT. 21. HE WAS AIRLIFTED TO COVINGTON HOSPITAL IN LUBBOCK, TEXAS, WHERE HE IS AWAITING TRIPLE BYPASS SURGERY TOMORROW. HIS FAMILY IS WITH HIM. All our good wishes and prayers go out to Blondie for the quick recovery of this invaluable member of Ray Price's organization. Blondie Calderon fills the multiple roles of Ray's band leader, brilliant pianist, singer, comedy sidekick, road manager, and good friend for the past 33 years. WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON BLONDIE'S CONDITION AS WE HEAR MORE.

Monday, October 23, 2000---This message came today from Scott Crossman of the Ray Price band.

DEAR FRIENDS: IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT I AM WRITING TO YOU. OUR GOOD FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE MOISES "BLONDIE" CALDERON PASSED AWAY AT 8:30 P.M. CST ON OCTOBER 23, 2000. WE WISH HIS FAMILY WELL AND EXTEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY FOR THEIR LOSS. HE TOUCHED THE LIVES OF MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD AND WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE PENDING. HE PASSED AWAY FROM COMPLICATIONS AFTER SURGERY FOLLOWING A HEART ATTACK. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND YOUR SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY VIA E-MAIL MESSAGES, I WILL BE GLAD TO FORWARD THEM.

SINCERELY, SCOTT CROSSMAN, [email protected] (or [email protected])